Soriano homers twice in N.Y. win

Yankees pull to within two games of Rays for 2nd wild-card berth

Associated Press

Updated 12:29 am, Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Photo: Patrick Semansky

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New York Yankees' Mark Reynolds doubles in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Baltimore. Curtis Granderson scored on the play, and New York won 7-5. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ORG XMIT: MDPS112 less

New York Yankees' Mark Reynolds doubles in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Baltimore. Curtis Granderson scored on the play, and New York won 7-5. ... more

Photo: Patrick Semansky

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New York Yankees' Alfonso Soriano, right, fist-bumps teammate Robinson Cano (24) after driving him in with a home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, in Baltimore. New York won 7-5. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ORG XMIT: MDPS113 less

New York Yankees' Alfonso Soriano, right, fist-bumps teammate Robinson Cano (24) after driving him in with a home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 10, ... more

Photo: Patrick Semansky

Soriano homers twice in N.Y. win

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Baltimore

The injuries keep mounting for the New York Yankees, who keep finding ways to win in spite of a roster shuffle that will likely continue to the final day of the season.

Alfonso Soriano hit two home runs, including a tiebreaking shot in the eighth inning, and the Yankees rallied past the Baltimore Orioles 7-5 Tuesday night to end a six-game losing streak at Camden Yards.

Mark Reynolds also homered for the Yanks, who won for the second time in six games to bolster their postseason hopes. New York trails Tampa Bay by two games, and Baltimore and Cleveland by a half-game in the hunt for the final AL wild-card slot.

"With the punch that we have now, you feel you can come back," manager Joe Girardi said.

Chris Davis hit his major league-leading 49th home run for the Orioles and raised his RBI total to 126. Baltimore led 4-1 in the fifth inning before faltering.

The Yankees have been dealing with injuries all year, and the trend continued in this game. Alex Rodriguez experienced tightness in his left hamstring, catcher Austin Romine suffered a concussion and starting pitcher Ivan Nova was removed early because of a sore right triceps.

And still, the Yankees won after falling into a three-run hole. Soriano and Reynolds launched the comeback with solo homers in the sixth off Baltimore starter Miguel Gonzalez.

The victory was Girardi's 556th with the Yankees, tying Billy Martin for sixth place on the franchise list. Girardi and Orioles manager Buck Showalter did not cross paths on the diamond after exchanging angry words Monday night over Baltimore allegedly stealing signs.

After the game, the Yankees acquired slick-fielding shortstop Brendan Ryan from Seattle for a player to be named — perhaps a sign that Derek Jeter isn't coming back from his sore ankle anytime soon.

Ryan batted .192 in 87 games with the Mariners this season and lost his starting job during the summer. He would not be eligible to play in the postseason for the Yankees because they acquired him after Aug. 31.

Rodriguez led off the eighth with a double against rookie Kevin Gausman (2-5) and Robinson Cano delivered an RBI single. A-Rod said he tweaked his hamstring coming around third base.

"I iced it," Rodriguez said. "It feels pretty good right now."

Soriano followed with a two-run shot to center, his 15th homer in 43 games since New York reacquired him in a July 26 trade with the Chicago Cubs.

"They made a good acquisition," Showalter said. "He's been a good player for a long time. It's a good pickup for them."

Soriano certainly played a big part in this victory.

"Tonight, we (trailed) 4-1 but we come back and get the win, the important win," he said. "We believe we have a very good offense."